Rail link a heavy cross to bear for Abbott

The future of Brisbane's Cross River Rail project has become more uncertain after Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's announcement his government would prioritise federal funding for roads ahead of commuter rail projects.

Mr Abbott says roads contribute more to national productivity and that state governments should fund commuter rail projects.

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Work on the Moreton Bay Rail Link, linking Petrie to Kippa-Ring, has started, while Infrastructure Australia classes Cross River Rail as "shovel ready", but the Labor government has not yet promised any funding.

The Coalition has promised a new 15-year infrastructure plan would be started by Infrastructure Australia if it wins this year's federal election.

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"The commonwealth government has a long history of funding roads," Mr Abbott said on Thursday.

"We have no history of funding urban rail and I think it's important that we stick to our knitting, and the commonwealth's knitting when it comes to funding infrastructure is roads."

Fairfax Media asked for clarification on the issue after Mr Abbott made these comments in Melbourne yesterday.

A spokesman for Mr Abbott said the Coalition supported funding for transport projects that "affect interstate commerce, export industries and the productive capacity of the economy".

The spokesman said the Coalition would continue to support "the interstate rail freight network," but commuter rail improvements should be funded by state governments.

"Commuter rail projects are the responsibility of the states and territories. This has traditionally been the case," he said.

"Such an unbalanced approach would lead to more gridlock, worsening congestion and a poorer quality of life in our cities," Mr Albanese said.

The Labor Party has committed $742 million in federal funding to the Moreton Bay Rail Link, which is under way, and $20 million for pilot funds to investigate the Cross River Rail.

Mr Albanese said the debate showed the "great divide in Australian politics between Labor and the Coalition".

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow questioned the emphasis on roads.

"Congestion is chaotic in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane particularly. The way forward is improved public transport, not more of the failed 1960s roads policies," he said.

Mr Abbott last year promised $1 billion for improvements to the northern section of the Gateway Motorway.

A spokesman for Queensland's Transport Minister Scott Emerson said Queensland's transport authorities were lobbying both political parties for funds for Toowoomba's Second Range Crossing, the Cross River Rail and the Bruce Highway upgrade.